Sprinkler head



Nov. 20, 1945. E, TYDEN 2,389,333

SPRINKLER HEAD Filed July 21, 1944 ll ll l lu w .5- jnMejzZ oa i [WazZfa/em Patented Nov. 20; 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE SPRINKLER HEADv Emil Tyden, Hastings, Mich. 'Application July 21, 1944, Serial No.545,989

I 16 Claims.

This invention relates to sprinkler heads designed for use in fireextinguishing systems, and one object of the invention is to provide anew and improved sprinkler head which'is adapted to be installed withits lower end substantially flush with the ceiling of a room. Thiseliminates certain objections to standard sprinkler heads which havebeen customarily installed at a substantial distance below the ceilingof a room and were considered unsightly, particularly in stores andofiice buildings where especial attention is paid to the finish anddecoration of wallsurfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler head ofrelatively simple and compact construction and occupying a comparativelysmall space in a vertical direction and therefore adapted forinstallation between the ceiling and the floor above it even when thedistance between these elements is quite limited.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a sprinkler head adaptedfor flush mounting in the ceiling and having a spreader or waterdeflecting device arranged to be automatically lowered below the planeof the ceiling when the sprinkler becomes operative by reason of fireconditions.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a sprinkler head havingits operative mechanism and its deflector housed normally above theplane of the ceiling but with its fusible element disposed slightlybelow said plane for certain exposure to the currents of heated airflowing across the ceiling under fire conditions. More specifically, itis an object of the invention to'provide a sprinkler head mechanismwhich includes a housing having a water discharge port therein with acap for said port and means controlled by a fusible element forreleasing the cap, together with a water deflector normally containedwithin the housing but connected thereto by flexible elements such aschains and adapted to be lowered below the plane of the ceiling underfire conditions for proper distribution of the water discharged throughthe port.

7 Othe objects'and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view oi a sprinkler head embodying thisinvention showing it connected to a supply pipe and with the parts innormal position prior to operation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the sprinkler headin operation with the deflector lowered below the plane of the ceiling.

head housing.

Fig- 3 isaa detail elevation of the retaining toggle.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 5 is a diametral section of the port closing cap and its liner indisassembled relation.

Fig. 6 is a ,plan View of the spreader;

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan view of the sprinkler Fig. 8 is aperspectiveview of a wrench for installing or removing the head.

While there, is shown .and described certain specific structureembodying'the invention, it will be evident to those skilledin the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention herein shownand de scribed except as indicated by the appended claims. Itshould alsobe understood that al though th fire extinguishing liquid most commonlyemployed is water, the present invention is applicable to apparatusemploying other liquids and that wherever. in the specification 0rclaims water is referred to it-is intended as a generic term denotingany suitable fluid for use in fire extinguishing systems. 7

As shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the water supply pipe is indicated at1, connected into a T fitting 2 with a depending threaded nipple 3 ontowhich the housing 4 ofthe sprinkler head is secured. The housing is thusremovable if desired, and is usuallyremoved after a-fire for replace.-ment and resetting of the valve and other parts, but when it is attachedto the fitting 2 by. the nipple 3, the housingserves as a fixedanchorage for a movable spreader as hereinafter described.

The housing 4 is substantially cylindrical in form and includes anintegrally cast nozzle 'portion 5 disposed centrally within the housingand providing an annular space 6 around the nozzle. The nozzleterminates in a port 1 which is normally closed by a cap or valve member8, pref,- erably consisting of a metallic disk 8a and the thin sheetmetal liner 8b shown in Fig. 5. The valve disk 8a includes a centralprojection or knob which is engaged by the upper end of the set screw 9carried in the threaded hub Illa of the toggle'member I0. The toggleconsists of the member H! which extends nearly across the lower end ofthe housing 4, and the member H which is pivoted to the member III at[2, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3. The lower end ofthe housing 4 is formedwith an inwardly projecting flange which provides an upwardly facingshoulder l3 and one end of the toggle member I0 is formed with aprojection lllb which rests upon this shoulder I3. The toggle member Hhas a nose or projection l lb which is similarly supported on theshoulder l3 and the toggle members are formed with depending arms we andHe, respectively, which are connected by a fusible link l4. When the setscrew 9 is adjusted into position to clamp the cap or valve member 8into port closing position it reacts with a tendency to force the togglemembers downwardly and this tendency is resisted by the tensiorn on; thelink M; whereby the-valve member 8 is? maintained; nor mally in closedposition.

There is also carried withinthe housing 4 a deflector or spreader [5which may be a disk of sheet metal with its peripheral portioxr pref--erably upturned and slotted, and having; addi tional perforations fordirecting and dispersing water as it strikes the upper surf'alceof thd'eflector. For convenience, the deflector-1 is normally disposedconcentrically with the valve member 8 and may be" formedwith: acentiial opening |5a into which the hub 8d of the mermber 8 is fitted.The spreader f5 is anchored to the housing 4= b'y' means offlexihiesuspending memberswhich are shown" as chains-l t eachiter minating in anairchor'ri vetl'r secuiled in the top wall ofthe' housing 4. Preferably,three chains are employed and they are of a suitable length to supportthe spreader in operative position at a distance below theplrieoftheceilingr Atas shown in Fig; 2E Howevenwhen the spreader is disposedWithin the housing 4 as shown in Fig: the chains it are collapsed andaccommodated with the annular space fi' around the nozzle =5 and in theremaining availahle space-withimtheheus ing* 43 The toggie memberIU-i'nelud'es a circular! dislc'p'ort'ion' ioci'whiblr closes the ieweren'd 'ofi the housingand retains tilieichains thereirt- Pieierabiy, aSPI iilg HF fitt'fiig" loosely around the hub We ortlie toggle' memberPresets- 11p wardly against 'tliespreader I5 and valves? As shown, theIiuB" 821" of the valve terminates iir a; thin annular portion 8e whicli'ispeene'd'onspun over againstthespreader' l fri'vet fashi'oir'sothat the valve or cap 8 and thespreadian' It? are-per manently assembledand the spring l fiaetually reacts against tliisspun-overportibnofthevaliie 8; This permanentconneetieir oftiie parts aand Wis-not essential; but facilitates the planmg and se'curement oftheval-ire i'n settingtfie parts the positibn shown in Fig-1i and it alsoavoids loss of tfie 'pa'rt liwlien iilisgiiihli-ibr lie'ad' goes intoaction. I,

The-link lit is of the typecommcmi -empioyecfinsprinkler heads,comprising two-members secured face to face By fiisiblematerial, such assolder; with tli'e'end of'on'e meande engaged with are arm'- we and withtheend-orthectlier memlierengaged witli the a'rirr We s0 that wiiewsubje'ct'ed to a predetermined temperature-the solder will melta-nrthetwe members will pull apart under the tension constantly exerted on- Bytlie-armsil'fl'c and Nb." Wlieir-tlie-liiik llis thus released by atemperatureindicating"the-presence of fire conditions, thepressure-oftlie spring (8 upon the toggle member lll insures minermove"- m'ent oi the toggle downwardly although nor"- maily'tlie-water'pressure actingagainst'tlie valve B and-througii tlie setscrew 9 will operate with tlie'same eifent causingth'earm Wcortiretoggle member ll tc'swi'mg about its ivot so as-to' um seat itsnose-crtproje-ctibn I Hi from the-shoulder r3 andtiius release thetcggieiiam-the housing 4: As-tlie tbgglefall'saway the spreader It will it issuspended by the chains [6 directly below the port 1. Whether the valvecap 8 is attached to the spreader or not it will be unseated so as topermit a deluge of water from the port I to impinge upon the spreader I5and to be deflected and distributed thereby, part of the water beingthrown against the ceiling A and a portion of its being dischargeddirectly downward through the apertures and slots of the deflector $5.Incidentally, the chains 16- contribute to the dispersion: and;distribution of T the water in lateral directions.

, To provide a neat appearance for the sprinkler head as installed inthe ceiling, and also to close theannular clearance opening 20 which isformed in the ceiling A around the housing 4, an annular plate 2| isremovably attached as by screwsZZ to the lower end of the housing 4 andis dimensioned to overlap the opening 29. Upon the termination of thefire or other condition which caused operation of? the sprinkler headthe: water supply'inth'e pipe I'is shut off at a remote control valveand the sprinklerhead or housing 4-is preferably removed" for servicingand" resetting. This'involves simplythe removalof thescrews 22 and"plate 21 so as to expose tlie" radially: extending lugs n onrthe housing4 which are :engageable by means of' a specialwrench; 25' of the typeshown'irr Fig. 8. When the hou'sing has 'beenun screwed from the nipple3' the valve cap: will be replacedinposition overtheport I; with a newliner 8b,r-if necessary; and with thecon's'tmction shown thiswillinvolve replacingrtl ie'spreader" I5 within the housing '4 andsuitably! nesting; its collapsed chains l4 therein. Then; anewtoggle-1am sembly 9, H]; I I, with a spring N3 Willbe adjusted: inposition and after application of 'a 'new fusible link it thersetsc'rewfi will beztighte'nedwo secure the parts. If desirechthewhub'I'llzt and the. screw 9 may='be-dri1led to receive a cross pin 261asiaiprecaution against loosening of the screw-under: vi bration and-itsprevent tampering; therewith",- As already noted; the f aet that thesupporting meme beis forthespreader [5: are flexible an'dr collapsi blepermits themetobe accommodated? in a} house ing 4 which is comparativelyshallow in vertical dimension, andthe simplicity-of t-hevalve-cuntroll-ingmechanism: also permitszthe housihgrto be relativelysmalLso-that it necessary a spri-nkler head ofthis type-carnbe:installed'tbetweemthe ceiling antithefioor aboveit even'when this spaceis quitelimiteda I I claim as my invention:

is A=sprink-ler head for a firecexting-uishing system comp-risingahousing awa-teii discharge poiit withinsaid housing-,-aclosureacapforsaid port aspreader: withcollapsible means connectingsaidspreader tothe :housing said means being dimensionedL when extended tosupportthe spreader at an operative position arpair of leverspivoteddxi- .gether forming. a toggle with their respective endsengaging, a portion of the housinglarms extend,- ing from said levers, afusible link connecting saidarms, and means carried bythe toggle.holding said cap in port closingposition with saidspreader' and itscollapsible supporting, means disposed within the housing, v

2. A sprinkler heaid'for a fire extinguishing systeam comprising: ahousing;,a1 water discharge port within said housing, a clb'siirecap forsa'idpdrfia spreader-"with collapsible" means connecting, said spreaderto the housing; salibim'eans being dimension'e'd when extende'd't'osupport the spreader: at an operative position, means including a.fli'sible element normally holdingthecap port clbsing position andretaining the spreader and itscollapsed connecting -means within thehousing, but operable, upon fusing of said element, to release the 'capand also the spreader, allowing said collapsed means to be extended forsupporting the spreader in its operative position.

3. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprisin a housing,said housing having a centrally disposed'nozzle .terminating in adownwardly opening discharge port and providing an annular space aroundsaid nozzle within the housing, a spreader with flexible hangersconnecting it to the housing, said hangers being dimensioned to suspendthe spreader at an operative position, a closure cap for the dischargeport carried on the spreader, and means including a fusible elementnormally upholding the cap in port closing position and retaining thespreader within the housing with its flexible hangers accommodated insaid annular space but operable, upon fusing of said element, to releasethe cap and also thespreader, allowing its hangers to be extended forsupporting it at operative position.

4. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a housingdisposed with its lower end substantially flush with a ceiling, a waterdischarge port within said housing, a closure cap for said port, aspreader with collapsible hangers connecting said spreader to thehousing, said hangers being dimensioned when extended to suspend thespreader at an operative position below the ceiling, means including afusible element and a member held in position thereby, said member beingdetachably engaged with the housing and extending under the dischargeport, with a screwin said member adjustable to hold the cap in portclosing .position, said member also retaining the spreader and itscollapsed hangers within the housing but bein operable, upon fusing ofsaid element, to release the cap and also the spreader, allowing thelatter to descend to its operative position.

5. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a housingdisposed with its lower end substantially flush with a ceiling, a waterdischarge port within said housing, a closure cap for said port, aspreader with chains connecting said spreader to. the housing, saidchains being dimensioned to suspend the spreader in an operativeposition below the ceiling, means including a fusible element normallyupholding the cap in port closing position and retaining the spreaderwith its chains in collapsed position within the housing, said meansbeing operable, upon fusing of said element, to release the cap and alsothe spreader, allowing the latter to descend below the ceiling to theextent permitted by said chains.

6. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a housingdisposed with its lower end substantially flush with a ceiling, adownwardly opening discharge port within said housing, a closure cap forsaid port, a spreader with flexible hangers therefor attached to thehousing at points laterally adjacent the port and attached to thespreader near its periphery, leaving the port unobstructed except bysaid cap, and means including a fusible element normally upholding thecap in port closing position and retaining the spreader and its flexiblehangers within the housing, said meansbeing operable upon fusing of saidelement to release the cap and also the spreader, allowing the latter todescend below the plane of the ceiling to the extent permitted by saidflexible hangers.

7. A sprinkler headfor a fire extinguishing system comprising a housingdisposed with its lower end substantially flush with-a ceiling, a waterdischarge'port within said housing, a closure. cap for said port, aspreader with collapsible hangers connecting said spreader to thehousing, said hangers being dimensioned when extended to suspend thespreader at an operative position below the ceilin said housing havingan upwardly facing shoulder adjacent its lower end, a member having oneend lodged upon said shoulder, a retaining catch pivoted to the otherend of said member and 9,180 lodged upon said shoulder, arms extendingdownwardly from said member and said catch respectively, with a fusiblelink connecting said arms below the plane of the ceiling, meansextending upwardly from said member holding the cap in port closingposition and retaining the spreader within the housing, said hangersbeing accommodated in collapsed form within the housing, the fusing ofsaid link permitting the catch to swing about its pivot and disengagethe shoulder of the housing whereby said member releases the closure capfrom the port and releases the spreader from the housing.

8. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a housingdisposed with its lower end substantially flush with a ceiling,a waterdischarge port within said housing, a closure cap for said port, aspreader with collapsible means connecting said spreader to the housing,said means being dimensionedwhen extended to suspend the spreader at anoperative position below theceiling, a pair of levers pivotedtogetherforminga toggle with their respective ends engaging the lower portion ofthe housin and having arms depending below the plane of the ceiling, afusible link connecting said arms, and means carried by the toggleupholding said 'cap in port closing position with said spreader and itscollapsible suspendin means disposed within the housing, said tog leincluding laterally extending portions forming a disk which normallycloses the lower end of the housing and retains the collapsible meanstherein.

9. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a liquidsupply conduit having a discharge port, a fixed anchorage adjacent saidconduit, a spreader having a portion adapted to serve as a closure forsaid port, flexible means connecting the said spreader to said fixedanchorage and dimensioned to support the spreader at an operativedistance from said port but permitting the said spreader to be placed inport closing position, and means including fusible means normallyholding thespreader in that position. v

10. A sprinkler head for a fire extinguishing system comprising a liquidsupply conduit having a discharge port, a fixed anchorage adjacent andoutside said conduit, a spreader having a portion adapted to serve as aclosure for said port, collapsible means disposed entirely outside saidconduit and connecting the spreader to said fixed anchorage, said meansbeing dimensioned to support the spreader at an operative distance fromsaid port but permitting the spreader to be placed in port closingposition with said connecting means collapsed, and means includingfusible means normally holding the spreader in that position,

11. A sprinkler head for a, fire extinguishing system comprising aliquid supply conduit having a discharge port, a fixed anchorageadjacent said? conduit l aspreader: includinga closure cap forsaideport, a pluralityof' flexible members con-- -means includingfusible means normally holding,

thecap inthat position. 7

1-2.;A- sprinkler head for afire extinguishing systemcomprising a liquidsupply conduit having; a discharge-port, anchorage-means I carried byand externallyof said conduit, a closure cap for said port; a spreaderwith chains connecting the spreader tosaid anchorage means anddimensioned to supportqthe spreader at anoperative distance from saidport, and means including a fusible element normallyholding thecapinport closing-J position and. -operable, upon fusing of saidelement, to release the cap.- 1

13LA sprinklerhead for a fire extinguishing system comprising a liquidsupply conduit having adischarge port; a closure cap for said port, aspreader; a fixed anchorage, and collapsible supporting means connectingthe spreader to said anchorage and extensible to holdthe spreader inoperative relation to the said discharge port, together with meansincluding iusible means normallyholding the cap in port closing positionandretaining; the spreader'at a. position with its supporting meanscollapsed, but operable, upon fusion,- to-release said cap'and saidspreader, a1- lowing the; supporting means to be extended for presentingthe spreader at operative position 14. A sprinkler head for a fireextinguishing P system comprisin a liquid supply conduit h'aving: adischarge port; afixedanchorage-adjacent said conduit, a closure capfor: said P0113312: spreads er with flexible hanger means thereforattached to saidanchorage and: attached to the spreader near" itsperiphery, said hanger means being; die mensioned to support thespreader at an-opera-- tive distance from said port, and'me'ansincluding fusible'means normally h'old-ingthe cap iii-port closingposition;

15. A sprinkler head fora fire extinguishing system comprising a liquidsupply conduithaving a discharge port, aclosure cap'for said port; ananchorage structure externally adj acent; the conduit, a spreaderwith'hangersconsistingof chains disposed laterally ofthe dischargeportyanden gaging the spreader adjacent its periphery for connecting thespreader to saidanchorage saidchainsbeing dimensioned to supportthespreader at an operative distancefromsaidport, and'reltainin-g meansincluding a fusible-element; said retaining means being detachably'engaged with said anchorage structure and normally holding the closurecapin port closing position.

1 6.1 A sprinkler headfor a fireex-tinguishing system comprising. aliquid supply conduit. hav-- ing a discharge port,- a; fixed anchorageadjacent said conduit; av closure cap for said port,- a spread.- er withflexible hangermeans therefor attached to said anchorage and attachedtothespreader near its periphery; said hanger'means-bein di-' mensionedto support the spreader at an operative distance from said port; andmeans including fusible means normally holding the cap in port closingpositionwith the spreader closely ad: jacent thereto andwith saidhangermeans-flexed;

